Orlando Pirates have a gem on their hands in the shape of Relebohile Mofokeng. However, they need to think smartly about when to sell.
Mofokeng is highly thought of in South Africa
Orlando Pirates’ come-from-behind 3-1 win against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final secured a three-peat in that competition. They are the first side in the PSL era to achieve the feat. Relebohile Mofokeng got himself on the scoresheet. H e also did so in the recent Nedbank Cup final win over Sundowns. On that occasion, his was the decisive 95th-minute strike. He repeated the trick against Stellies, scoring in the 96th minute to make the trophy safe for Pirates after a controversial stoppage-time goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa. Not only has the prodigiously talented winger scored in successive cup finals for the Buccaneers but he was voted the Young Player of the Season in 2023-2024, a campaign culminating in Bafana Bafana recognition.
Undervalued in European terms?
German football website transfermarkt reckons Relebohile Mofokeng’s value currently hovers around the €800k (R15.3 million) mark. Surely that number will continue to rise as his stock does the same. Now a full South African international, Mofokeng has surpassed the 50 appearances mark for the Buccaneers having only only turned 20 on October 23rd. There are several current Pirates players valued higher than Mofokeng.
Rumours linking Mofokeng with a host of European sides
English Premier League side Wolves took a look at Mofokeng back in October 2023. There were also rumours linking him with Glasgow Rangers, German side RB Leipzig and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Orlando Pirates must cash in at the right time
A few more starring displays for Pirates and Bafana Bafana and more notoriety for the player on foreign soil could see his value and price skyrocket. It’s inevitable that a player with Mofokeng’s gifts will move abroad to test his mettle; Pirates must choose the right time for both their bank balance and the player’s welfare and development. Now is not that time. However, fast-forward two years and the Bucs board might be bringing in a mammoth transfer fee for one of the most talented players of his generation.
Jomo Sono’s successor?
Jomo Sono is a giant name in South African football. The flashy star spent five entertaining years with Orlando Pirates before embarking on a North American adventure. Steve Lekolea tried on his number 10 jersey, but nobody can do it like Jomo. More recently, Vincent Pule had a short spell with the jersey in 2020/21, but the number 10 has become more or less extinct. There has been some fan clamour for it to be given to Relebohile Mofokeng. To bestow an honour of this magnitude on the player could be seen as a burden but supporters believe Mofokeng can carry it on his shoulders.
Fixtures on the horizon for Pirates
Meanwhile, Riveiro’s men have two league encounters to prepare for in the next two weeks and they’ve also got two tasty Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon. The visit of African champions Al Ahly on 06 December is one to get in the diary. There’s also the prospect of a meeting with Bafana and former Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo when Pirates go North to face Belouizdad of Algeria.
Is Mofokeng destined to be a Pirates and Bafana great?
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